What are the signs and symptoms of depression?
People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.
Symptoms include:
Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
Overeating, or appetite loss
Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
People with depressive illnesses do not all experience the same symptoms. The severity, frequency and duration of symptoms will vary depending on the individual and his or her particular illness.
Symptoms include:
Persistent sad, anxious or "empty" feelings
Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness
Irritability, restlessness
Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex
Fatigue and decreased energy
Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions
Insomnia, early–morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping
Overeating, or appetite loss
Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
What are the different forms of depression?
There are several forms of depressive disorders. The most common are major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder.
Major depressive disorder, also called major depression, is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once–pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person's lifetime, but more often, it recurs throughout a person's life. (Dysthymia is a form of major depression characterized by less severe symptoms that persist over a long period of time.)
Psychotic depression, which occurs when a severe depressive illness is accompanied by some form of psychosis, such as a break with reality, hallucinations, and delusions.
Postpartum depression, which is diagnosed if a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.1
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not respond to light therapy alone. Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy.2
There are several forms of depressive disorders. The most common are major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder.
Major depressive disorder, also called major depression, is characterized by a combination of symptoms that interfere with a person's ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once–pleasurable activities. Major depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. An episode of major depression may occur only once in a person's lifetime, but more often, it recurs throughout a person's life. (Dysthymia is a form of major depression characterized by less severe symptoms that persist over a long period of time.)
Psychotic depression, which occurs when a severe depressive illness is accompanied by some form of psychosis, such as a break with reality, hallucinations, and delusions.
Postpartum depression, which is diagnosed if a new mother develops a major depressive episode within one month after delivery. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.1
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is characterized by the onset of a depressive illness during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer. SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not respond to light therapy alone. Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy can reduce SAD symptoms, either alone or in combination with light therapy.2
What about St. John's wort?
The extract from St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), a bushy, wild-growing plant with yellow flowers, has been used for centuries in many folk and herbal remedies. Today in Europe, it is used extensively to treat mild to moderate depression. In the United States, it is one of the top-selling botanical products.
To address increasing American interests in St. John's wort, the National Institutes of Health conducted a clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of the herb in treating adults who have major depression. Involving 340 patients diagnosed with major depression, the eight-week trial randomly assigned one-third of them to a uniform dose of St. John's wort, one-third to a commonly prescribed SSRI, and one-third to a placebo. The trial found that St. John's wort was no more effective than the placebo in treating major depression.29 Another study is looking at the effectiveness of St. John's wort for treating mild or minor depression.
Other research has shown that St. John's wort can interact unfavorably with other medications, including those used to control HIV infection. On February 10, 2000, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory letter stating that the herb appears to interfere with certain medications used to treat heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and organ transplant rejection. The herb also may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Because of these potential interactions, patients should always consult with their doctors before taking any herbal supplement.
For more information:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/nimhdepression.pdf
Resources
LDS Family Services CA Van Nuys Agency 13042 Burbank Boulevard Van Nuys, CA 91401-5409 PH: 818-781-5511 FAX: 818-781-5595
http://www.providentliving.org/familyservices/strength/0,12264,2120-1,00.html
UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services
(310) 825-0768 anytime, 24-hours daily, 365 days per year
**you can get a referral even if you’re not covered by UCLA health insurance**
http://www.counseling.ucla.edu/
The extract from St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), a bushy, wild-growing plant with yellow flowers, has been used for centuries in many folk and herbal remedies. Today in Europe, it is used extensively to treat mild to moderate depression. In the United States, it is one of the top-selling botanical products.
To address increasing American interests in St. John's wort, the National Institutes of Health conducted a clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of the herb in treating adults who have major depression. Involving 340 patients diagnosed with major depression, the eight-week trial randomly assigned one-third of them to a uniform dose of St. John's wort, one-third to a commonly prescribed SSRI, and one-third to a placebo. The trial found that St. John's wort was no more effective than the placebo in treating major depression.29 Another study is looking at the effectiveness of St. John's wort for treating mild or minor depression.
Other research has shown that St. John's wort can interact unfavorably with other medications, including those used to control HIV infection. On February 10, 2000, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory letter stating that the herb appears to interfere with certain medications used to treat heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and organ transplant rejection. The herb also may interfere with the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Because of these potential interactions, patients should always consult with their doctors before taking any herbal supplement.
For more information:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/nimhdepression.pdf
Resources
LDS Family Services CA Van Nuys Agency 13042 Burbank Boulevard Van Nuys, CA 91401-5409 PH: 818-781-5511 FAX: 818-781-5595
http://www.providentliving.org/familyservices/strength/0,12264,2120-1,00.html
UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services
(310) 825-0768 anytime, 24-hours daily, 365 days per year
**you can get a referral even if you’re not covered by UCLA health insurance**
http://www.counseling.ucla.edu/
Tips on Eating Well and Feeling Good about Yourself
It is no fun to worry all the time about how much you weigh, how much you eat, or whether you are thin. Here are some things you can do.
Eat when you are hungry. Stop eating when you are full.
All foods can be part of healthy eating. There are no "good" or "bad" foods, so try to eat lots of different foods, including fruits, vegetables, and even sweets sometimes.
When having a snack try to eat different types. Sometimes raisins might be good, sometimes cheese, sometimes a cookie, sometimes carrot sticks or celery dipped in peanut butter.
If you are sad or mad or have nothing to do—and you are not really hungry—find something to do other than eating. Often, talking with a friend, or parent, or teacher is helpful.
Remember: kids and adults who exercise and stay active are healthier and better able to do what they want to do, no matter what they weigh or how they look.
Try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like dancing or karate) that you like and do it! Join a team, join the YMCA, join in with a friend or practice by yourself—Just do it!
Good health, feeling good about yourself, and having fun go hand in hand. Try out different hobbies, like drawing, reading, playing music, or making things. See what you’re good at and enjoy these things.
Remind yourself that healthy bodies and happy people come in all sizes, and that no one body shape or body size is a healthy one or the right one for everybody.
Some people believe that fat people are bad, sick, and out of control, while thin people are good, healthy, and in control. This is not true and it is unfair and hurtful.
Do not tease people about being too fat, too thin, too short, or too tall. And, don’t laugh at other people’s jokes about fat (or thin) people or short (or tall) people. Teasing is unfair and it hurts.
If you hear someone (your mom or dad, a sister or a friend) say they are "too fat and need to go on a diet," TELL THEM—Please don’t, because dieting to lose weight is not healthy—and no fun—for kids or adults. TELL THEM—You think they look great just the way they are. TELL THEM—Don’t diet; eat a variety of foods and get some exercise. TELL THEM—Remember, being "thinner" is not the same as being healthier and happier
Appreciate yourself for all you are – everyone should respect and like themselves, enjoy playing and being active, and eat a variety of healthy foods.
It is no fun to worry all the time about how much you weigh, how much you eat, or whether you are thin. Here are some things you can do.
Eat when you are hungry. Stop eating when you are full.
All foods can be part of healthy eating. There are no "good" or "bad" foods, so try to eat lots of different foods, including fruits, vegetables, and even sweets sometimes.
When having a snack try to eat different types. Sometimes raisins might be good, sometimes cheese, sometimes a cookie, sometimes carrot sticks or celery dipped in peanut butter.
If you are sad or mad or have nothing to do—and you are not really hungry—find something to do other than eating. Often, talking with a friend, or parent, or teacher is helpful.
Remember: kids and adults who exercise and stay active are healthier and better able to do what they want to do, no matter what they weigh or how they look.
Try to find a sport (like basketball or soccer) or an activity (like dancing or karate) that you like and do it! Join a team, join the YMCA, join in with a friend or practice by yourself—Just do it!
Good health, feeling good about yourself, and having fun go hand in hand. Try out different hobbies, like drawing, reading, playing music, or making things. See what you’re good at and enjoy these things.
Remind yourself that healthy bodies and happy people come in all sizes, and that no one body shape or body size is a healthy one or the right one for everybody.
Some people believe that fat people are bad, sick, and out of control, while thin people are good, healthy, and in control. This is not true and it is unfair and hurtful.
Do not tease people about being too fat, too thin, too short, or too tall. And, don’t laugh at other people’s jokes about fat (or thin) people or short (or tall) people. Teasing is unfair and it hurts.
If you hear someone (your mom or dad, a sister or a friend) say they are "too fat and need to go on a diet," TELL THEM—Please don’t, because dieting to lose weight is not healthy—and no fun—for kids or adults. TELL THEM—You think they look great just the way they are. TELL THEM—Don’t diet; eat a variety of foods and get some exercise. TELL THEM—Remember, being "thinner" is not the same as being healthier and happier
Appreciate yourself for all you are – everyone should respect and like themselves, enjoy playing and being active, and eat a variety of healthy foods.
What is an Eating Disorder?
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. They are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Symptoms include:
Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level
Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
Feeling “fat” or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
Loss of menstrual periods
Extreme concern with body weight and shape
BULIMIA NERVOSA is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food--more than most people would eat in one meal--in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising.
Symptoms include:
Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
Frequent dieting
Extreme concern with body weight and shape
BINGE EATING DISORDER (also known as COMPULSIVE OVEREATING) is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.
OTHER EATING DISORDERS can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. While these behaviors may not be clinically considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining. All eating disorders require professional help.
For more information:
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. They are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males.
ANOREXIA NERVOSA is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. Symptoms include:
Refusal to maintain body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for height, body type, age, and activity level
Intense fear of weight gain or being “fat”
Feeling “fat” or overweight despite dramatic weight loss
Loss of menstrual periods
Extreme concern with body weight and shape
BULIMIA NERVOSA is characterized by a secretive cycle of binge eating followed by purging. Bulimia includes eating large amounts of food--more than most people would eat in one meal--in short periods of time, then getting rid of the food and calories through vomiting, laxative abuse, or over-exercising.
Symptoms include:
Repeated episodes of bingeing and purging
Feeling out of control during a binge and eating beyond the point of comfortable fullness
Purging after a binge, (typically by self-induced vomiting, abuse of laxatives, diet pills and/or diuretics, excessive exercise, or fasting)
Frequent dieting
Extreme concern with body weight and shape
BINGE EATING DISORDER (also known as COMPULSIVE OVEREATING) is characterized primarily by periods of uncontrolled, impulsive, or continuous eating beyond the point of feeling comfortably full. While there is no purging, there may be sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often feelings of shame or self-hatred after a binge. People who overeat compulsively may struggle with anxiety, depression, and loneliness, which can contribute to their unhealthy episodes of binge eating. Body weight may vary from normal to mild, moderate, or severe obesity.
OTHER EATING DISORDERS can include some combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and/or binge eating disorder. While these behaviors may not be clinically considered a full syndrome eating disorder, they can still be physically dangerous and emotionally draining. All eating disorders require professional help.
For more information:
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
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